New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-05
MR. WALKER ON TIE WESTBROOK CASE
THf DISTRICT-ATToRYEY AND THE DISCHARGED
AssIsTANT-MR. GRIsWOLD's TESTIMONY.


AssISTANT-MR GRISwOLDS TESTIMONY.
To the EdftOr Of Thc Tribune.
SIR: All the morning papers I'm their comments
upon the removal from the Government service OF
l. IL Wcstbrook, special assistant TO mo In certain
ancient suits, known tho Mousselin Dclalno ISSUE,
now pending Is the Circuit Court tot imply and
some distinctly assert that such removal due to
or in consequence OF certain testimony OF A. W.
Grswold In one of those actions which was designed
to call I'm question by inference and nncndo Mr. Wcst
brooks character for fidelity and problty as an ON
ployc OF tho Government
Nothing could 10 untrue or unjust to Mr. west
brook lilo Is an upright and Industrious lawyer, In
capable of tho offences which only adroitly in
sinuatcd Ivy Mr.. GrswoId COnccding tho truth Of his
testimony, there nothing IN II duplicating Mr..
Wesbrook rather than myself or Mr. Magone any
body familiar with the dcfcnco OF the Government in
these cases
without taking timo or space unnecessarily It
should seem sufficient on this point to state that my
letter Of request for vacation Of Mr. WcstbIoolts
appointment was delivered In person by to Assist
ant Secretary Maynard on Tuesday tho 18th of No
Ncmbcr last and tho testimony OF Mr.. Griswod was
given on Friday the 18th of November aor Mr.. West
brook had been notified Of his removal that even
tho poor adago OF Post hoe propter hoe does not apply
1t IS part Of my intention I'm writing this to
explain Justify tho course of tho Secretary OF the
Treasury my own in respect to this matter. "a It
simply concerns tho administration OF oillco tho
dflicult rcspOn>i Utilities Of Which am endcavoring to
discharge 10 tho best OF my ability. | not how
ever, aided In my efforts In this behalf 10y observing
that there exists apparent disposition to mako an
assault upon personal character SO slender basis
I, afforded in Tho testimony OF Mr. GrI,wOd. This
Wa, in substance that some person unknown TO him
had assured hm that retainer TO some also unknown
lawyer, who friend 10 Mr.. NcstDrOOk would
facilitate tho adjustment of his claims upon the
Treasury. Tho pcoplo OF this town Opp'ohend the
fact. think, that the article of humanity known a
tho STRIKER pcramhulat,s tho hyWayS Of all publlc
men aud is tho sort OF perpetual nuisance to
them q, b tho sneak thief to the ordinary householder
TIL, c,tuony was allowed to DO presented to the
jury Because Mr. Gr,wOlds Character had been I'm
pIcdly attacked by his own evidence 10 his habit
during tho year, III question OF paying monry TO tho
clerks ia tho Custom House who had tho custody of
all tho papers In his eases, aud whose duty It was
10 mako up rciund statements, commissions upon
claims, ia res pct which he acting attorney
Tho opportunity and induccmont to those Interested
IN the case, Including such Government employees, to
alter the writings upon which tho right of recovery
In these actions solely depends wcro doomed sufficient
proof In former tried during the present term Of
court to lead Jury to throw ont Items amounting to
$ll 900, a, tolng based upon records and docn
ments b. somebody mado unauthcntc. Tho jury In
this later found tins cas, OF proof inapplcablo
10 The records produced, and agree In ihcir con.
clu,ion Tho testimony was, Though perhaps not
wholly Irrelevant certainly not conclusive Oi Ttnd
on tho part of any reference To the particular
document. thcn before tho CONT j. would haNo brn
perhaps with uid % atOrci her, u gfoo an
alleged rNru,c for tho counter blast Of Grswold upon
Wc,ihrnok. To- which nobody would have paid any
attention, except that followed ia fact but
Ia puullc hnOWicdso 10y Nh Mcrtb'o"h's retirement.
In any case Of altered public records shall not BE-
deferred D., thl, lte nuuy from preventing HE same
evidence again. ! am not I'm my own person ~ ans
fear ~ rcrpu or counter attack upon such limo
as either Mr. GIi,Wuld any ~ tho Journal, have
adopted and should have kept silent except that
another and a worthy Of my cutiro respect and
esteem has been unjustly aS,ailcd
My policy i simply this-tO handle these Oid
a, suits should DO handled, TO acqulf,cc In
tho Judgment 81 the court and jurrS, and facilitate
their payment In ovcry possible way, 10 nsc our newly
0rgauLr Tribunal IN customs cases for tho rapid
III ,o.al ~ all the suits upon the calendar that II
may be tho means 81 cXpcdlting tho payment Of all
lust claims Of import aucc, whether TipoHrd into julg
mont or not resist to tho utmost ~ ability
such claims ~ | deem invalid. And nothing that
have done relating tho subject discussed IN this
letter has had any other purpos" or motive than such
"A policy mado necessary. >TErilN \. WALKER.
Uriied states District Attorney.
York. Dec. s, 1S-1.